One of my absolute favorite parts of creating picture books is discovering which illustrator will be working on a manuscript I’ve written. No matter who it is, I’m guaranteed to have one more creative, talented person in my mental Rolodex. I recently got to know Annie Cron, who illustrated One …
Suzanne Kaufman is the illustrator of the the New York Times Bestseller ALL ARE WELCOME series, written by Alexandra Penfold. They are wonderful, beautiful, and inclusive books that I imagine make DEI haters combust with nonsense and anger. Penfold’s text celebrates the joy of differences, and Kaufman’s characters pepper every …
Look at that glorious cover! Doesn’t it just reach out and wrap its musical arms around you? Today I have the pleasure of interviewing co-author Jolene Gutiérrez about her new book, MAMIACHI & ME. Here’s the publisher’s description: Mamiachi & Me is a lyrical and empowering picture book written by …
One of my favorite things to do is listen to picture book authors talk about how they create their stories. I love the sneak peek into their heads to see how they do what they do. So I’m thrilled to welcome poet and author Eileen Rajala Meyer to share her …
Hello Picture Book Builders Family! What a treat it is to be able to celebrate the book birthday (TODAY!) of my latest picture book, I WILL ALWAYS BE…! It is especially sweet because I get to celebrate it with my fabulous creator-in-crime, illustrator Rahele Jomepour Bell! Before I get into the interview …
Hey Picture Book Builders! I have the sweetest and fluffiest treat for you today, just in time for the Jewish holiday of Passover, which is coming up on April 12th! I am thrilled to have the amazing Jenna Waldman with us to celebrate the release of her newest rhyming picture …
Hello Picture Book Builders family! I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the (fingers crossed) tail end of winter. Not sure where you are, but here in NJ, it has been c-c-cold, but I feel optimistic that spring warmth will be on its way soon! I have to admit …
I grew up in a “children should be seen and not heard” type of home–at least, that’s how I perceived it. It still takes a lot of effort for me to speak up and I’m definitely non-confrontational. I struggle with this, especially when there are calls to action on issues …
Would you look at this cover? I did. And then I bought the book. Because not only is it a great story— IT IS— STUNNING! Mr. Lepron’s Mystery Soup is written by Giovanna Zoboli, (translated from Italian by Denise Muir). And my heavens it is magnificently illustrated by Mariachiara Di …
The Spaceman, by Randy Cecil, is a complete delight. 100%, I tell ya. The story begins with our protagonist, the Spaceman, collecting soil samples. That’s what he does every day. And his enthusiasm for the process is cowed by its utter mundanity. He collects samples, labels them, and then files …